Proteinuria: from ancient observation to 19th century scientific study.
OBJECTIVE
We present the evolution of ideas on the concept of proteinuria from antiquity through the 19th century.


METHODS
We conducted a thorough study of texts, medical books and reports along with a review of the available literature in PubMed.


RESULTS
Observations on proteinuria date back nearly 2,500 years to the works of Hippocrates. In the 17th and 18th centuries physicians and clinical chemists, particularly Frederick Dekkers, Domenico Cotugno and Charles Wells, further increased the knowledge of proteinuria. Contrary to popular belief the first appearance of the term albuminuria in print should be attributed to Martin Solon in 1837.


CONCLUSIONS
Observations on proteinuria span approximately 2,500 years. The work of physicians during the 17th and 18th centuries led to its establishment as a separate clinical entity associated with renal disease.
Diamantis
A
A
Office for the Study of History of Hellenic Naval Medicine, Naval Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Magiorkinis
E
E
Androutsos
G
G
D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000266:history*